The Polish Folk High Schools. Occasional Papers in Continuing Education. Number 17.

Kulich, Jindra; Bron-Wojciechowska, Agnieszka

Polish folk high schools are modeled after schools developed in the mid-1850s in Denmark to provide general, non-credit education for young adults in rural areas. The main objectives of the folk high schools are to provide a climate for individual student development and to serve as centers where young adults can learn about their cultural heritage. The first Polish folk high school was established in 1900. The folk high school movement developed and prospered along with the growing social consciousness and national awakening which characterized Poland up to World War I. Between the world wars, the folk high school movement was dominated by agricultural expert Ignacy Solarz. Solarz established and directed numerous folk high schools throughout Poland which endeavored to help young peasants become cultural and social forces in their communities. Political and ideological struggles in Poland after World War II resulted in closing most folk high schools. By 1958, however, changes in the ideological climate of East Europe encouraged the Central Committee of the Polish United Workers Party to reassess its position on cultural and educational matters and made it possible to reestablish the folk high schools. By the 1970s, the folk high schools have again become viable institutions which train young adults from rural areas to become social, vocational, and cultural leaders in their villages. (DB)